[Midblues]

I also have a 2005 SE Armada. I hear all these problems about brakes front rotors to small yada yada yada, but has anyone tried an after market kit. I know of 3 Kits # 1 is new rotors made of much better high carbon steel,drilled and slotted and no modificatons whatsoever. You can use stock calipers and pads. Price $290. a set of two.(Brakeworld .com). Set # 2 is 14 inch drilled and slotted rotors, daul piston calipers two stainless steel brake lines and all nessary hardware for installation.Designed to work with oem master cylinder and ABS system and will work with Nissan stock 18 inch rims.Price $1,395. Set 3 is same as above but a 15 inch rotor kit however you will need to put 20 inch rims to accomodate kit.(Brake-Pros.com) Price $2,995.NO more Dealer BS PRICELESS. I know a bit expensive for 14 or 15 inch kit,but if I have to start going to dealer every 4 or 5 thousand miles for brakes I will install the 14 inch kit. Was wpondering why no one else has tried an after market kit, besides the loss of brake warranty wich I belive is only good for 16000 miles anyhow.

 

[RKS]

there is a rumored recall for April 05 so I will wait at least until that time. I had Nissan replace brakes on my Max until it hit 36K miles.

 

[RichK]

With just over 8000 miles on my 04 LE, we are just starting to get a hint of brake jutter. I am going to the dealer to get it fixed one time. At that time I am going to inquire about the big brake kits and what they will do for warranty. I am mainly concerned with VDC and ABS issues. I also may ask them to install the kit. I just don't have the time to go to the dealer every few months. For me it will be the 14" kit from Stillen with the red calipers. Seems like a good deal and it will fit with the factory 18s.

 

[AZARMADA]

If you don't have the time for the dealer then you don't. I won’t spend that kind of money to fix a new $40,000. It is Nissans responsibility and they are continuing to work on it. I just do not know why they don't just take the concept of these aftermarket kits and get it done sooner.

 

[92TripleBlack]

I also have a 2005 SE Armada. I hear all these problems about brakes front rotors to small yada yada yada, but has anyone tried an after market kit. I know of 3 Kits # 1 is new rotors made of much better high carbon steel,drilled and slotted and no modificatons whatsoever. You can use stock calipers and pads. Price $290. a set of two.(Brakeworld .com). Set # 2 is 14 inch drilled and slotted rotors, daul piston calipers two stainless steel brake lines and all nessary hardware for installation.Designed to work with oem master cylinder and ABS system and will work with Nissan stock 18 inch rims.Price $1,395. Set 3 is same as above but a 15 inch rotor kit however you will need to put 20 inch rims to accomodate kit.(Brake-Pros.com) Price $2,995.NO more Dealer BS PRICELESS. I know a bit expensive for 14 or 15 inch kit,but if I have to start going to dealer every 4 or 5 thousand miles for brakes I will install the 14 inch kit. Was wpondering why no one else has tried an after market kit, besides the loss of brake warranty wich I belive is only good for 16000 miles anyhow.

Aftermarket is nice. Free under warranty is nicer. If its free, its me.

 

[SedonaArmada]

So far, i have not had any vibe at 11,000 miles. If it happens, then unless Nissan has what seems to be a permanent fix, i will probably do the Stillen rotor/pad thing. I have had their rotor/pad kits on a 93 RX7 and 95 Max and have been quite pleased with both. Very good, responsive stopping. I will also do the SS lines at that time too. For now I just wait...

 

[SedonaArmada]

Just remembered, I found this article about the Titan brakes..

http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/september04/titan/


Sounds like the SS line are a good idea. I have already emailed them to update the project in another article.

 

[92TripleBlack]

SS lines give you minimal advantages. Good for race vehicles mostly. The brake fix from Nissan is permanent and free. If you aren't having any problems, don't worry about it. The standard brakes are more than adequate for the truck. Those brake upgrades are really designed with the serious autocrosser/racer in mind. They enhance the brakes ablility to resist fade under long term heavy use conditions like doing laps on a track. Normal driving won't need anything else. I'd only go for the Stillens if I was going to be doing some serious 8K+ towing or wanted to show them off for looks. An easier upgrade would be some ceramic pads and some aftermarket rotors. You'll realize a small amount of brake improvement and loose the dusting and warping problems many experience.

 

[adjmcloon]

I've heard a lot of good info about getting some aftermarket rotors and having them cryo-treated. This, along with some pads (like the carbotechs) should all but eliminate any brake concerns and be a bit cheaper. Just a thought..

 

[TooTall]

I don't know how good the EBC Green stuff pads will do on the Armada, but I put them on my Lancer and couldn't be any more happier. If you look at their site, they have the green stuff pads that are for SUV's.

 

[chrisarmada]

Brakes, my .02

I hear both sides of the debate. The brakes are too small, it is a design flaw so Nissan should fix it. There is a fix in the works (have heard this for a while), also they fixed it in 05.

On the other side I have heard 05's still have the problem here or there, there are hassle at the dealer to get the work done. Several trips to get new rotors and they install the 05 brakes.

1. It sounds like the 04 brakes are barely adequate for normal driving and the 05's are just marginally better. 2. Yes it is a 40,000 vehicle and in a perfect world nissan should fix it, but this is not a perfect world. 3. How good should they be when the "fix" is done? Are you expecting it to perform like a Porshe Cayenne or a Ford Explorer? The aftermarket people do want Porshe Cayenne performance and we do not look forward to taking off work 4 times to go to the dealer for a free $50.00 repair.

Arguement for a performance increase
I do not like the fact that I have to leave so much room to stop that everyone takes this as an invitation to cut me off. I end up making panic stops more often the more room I leave because more people dive right in. And there is nothing more nerve racking than making a panic stop when you are trying to be easy on the brakes to save them from brake judder problems. If you have driven a Mercedes Benz SUV, not being able to stop is the last thing on your mind. It's stock brakes are so large you measure the gap between the wheel and caliper with a feeler gage (instead of a tape measure for ours). For $1,300 I get to move up to that quality of brake. My comfort level will be more like a normal vehicle, it will make this beast easier and more relaxing to drive so I can get the full 40K of enjoyment out of it. I think big brakes are worth every penny. Nissan should put a Nismo sticker on one of these big brake kits and sell it as an option. Until then I am going to spend the money and do it right.

I have been pushing for stop tech to make a kit that goes on 18" wheels because going with 20" defeats the purpose due to increased weight and leverage the wheel has on the brake. For true performance upgrade it should work with the stock 18"'s. Looks like Stillin may be the only answer right now.

Chrisarmada
'04 smoke 4 x 4 3600 miles and brake judder
'05 mini cooper (doesn't need a thing)
'94 BMW 325iC braded steel lines/ slotted rotors